Date Night ( Then And Now)

Pre-Baby D we didn't call movie and dinner date night. Of a weekend, we'd sit around wondering what movies were playing. If there was something we liked, we'd get dressed, get out and hope we could find tickets. As we wouldn't be inclined to cook once we returned, we'd end up eating out as well.

With Baby D amidst us, we plan "date night".
Step 1 Call Nani - Nana asking if they have any plans the following day and would they please baby sit.

Step 2 Once we get baby sitting clearance, we pre-book tickets online.

Step 3 We are now rather looking forward to tomorrow night. After Baby D falls asleep, Mommy D
picks out her outfit and accessories. (It's one in the night, but there would be no chance tomorrow when Baby D is up and about)

Step 4  It's Friday morning, Mommy D requests Daddy D to come home early so she can get a shower and put some make up on.

Step 5 Daddy D returns bright and early at 6 pm for a 10 pm show.

Step 6 We make Baby D look clean and nice for nani's place.

Step 7  Packing for Baby D begins. We need diapers, extra night outfit, couple of day outfits, bibs, burp cloths, feeding bottles, thermos of boiled water, his steriliser, calcium.
Did I forget something ? Oh yes! Changing mat, Mr Rattlesworth and Mr Spots (who can't be packed because Baby D won't be parted from him even for the short car ride to nani's place)

Step 8 Baby D is not looking too impressed with the going ons. So Daddy D picks him up
 & walks him around explaining things as best as he can given Baby D is in a none too receptive mood. Mommy D in the meantime, throws in some things for her and Daddy D in our overnight bag. It would be madness to try returning home in the "wee" hours and risk disturbing Baby D's six hour sleep stretch.

Step 9 Somehow, we find it's not so bright or early anymore. Mommy D rushes to get dressed and has all of five minutes for makeup. That's just about enough to swipe on some eye shadow and mascara. The eye liner on both eyes doesn't balance, but it'll have to do.

Step 10  7:40 p.m. It's mommy's turn to walk around a much annoyed Baby D who's feeling unsettled at all the activity as Daddy D rushes around smartening up. Luckily Baby D is being a gentleman. Despite his obvious annoyance, he refrains from spitting up all over mommy's outfit.


Step 11 8 p.m Somehow we are out the door. With us are Baby D,  sound asleep in mommy's arms, Mr Spots, tagging along for the ride, three bags. A neighbour who we have never seen goes "awwwww".  From somewhere deep inside one of the bags, Mr Rattlesworth sings at each bump in the road.

Finally, having dropped Baby D off, Date Night's  begun. Fifteen minutes away, Mommy D's maternal instincts are in high gear as she calls to check if she's being missed at all. Apparently not, Baby D to all appearances is having a great time answering questions on "Kaun Banega Crorepati".

Much relieved, the rest of the evening lives up to expectations. At 11 p.m., when it's interval in the movie, it's time for another "check on Baby D" call. A hassled sounding nani says "He's STILL playing", not quite so confident now in her ability to put Baby D to bed by 10:30 p.m. Mommy D doesn't dare call again.

At 1 a.m. we return feeling quite as nervous as a pair of teenagers who have stayed out beyond curfew hour. We hurriedly offer "But we did mention his most social hours were from 10 to 12:30 in the night". And we are relieved at not only having gotten away with staying out late but also having skipped the entire two hour long "put Baby D to sleep" routine.

Not related to this post - but Baby D has just sprung us a surprise. We lay him down to sleep on his back and the next moment we see he has turned on his side - the left side. (He also grabs with his left arm). Exciting times! Yay!